Students at Shaw Road Elementary are passionate about community service and actively participated in two March Gladness projects this year.

From February 19 through March 31, students collected new books for the Reach Out and Read program at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

The Reach Out and Read program provides patients, ages six months to six years, developmentally appropriate books at clinic visits. This inspires families to read together starting when children are very young. Reading together builds language and literacy skills that help support brain development and prepare children for school.

Students who enter kindergarten with a grade level or above reading skill have a much higher chance of school success and are less likely to drop out of school later in life.

Along with collecting new books, students are also participating in a food drive. The fundraiser is Kids Helping Kids, and it is in support of the Weekend Backpack Program established by Communities In Schools of Puyallup (CIS). Students who may struggle with food insecurities are provided a backpack every Friday with non-perishable, nutritious food. A food insecurity can be empty cupboards or families having to choose between paying the electric bill or buying groceries. Studies show children who come to school hungry are more likely to have lower academic performance and social skills.

CIS has partnered with Fred Meyer, Mountain View Community Center, All Saints Community Services, Puyallup Nazarene Church, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, High Point Church, and Backpack Kids to provide the weekend backpacks to students at Karshner, Stewart, Firgrove, Woodland, Pope, and Sunrise elementary.

“The kiddos really put in the work. They promote the drive, collect the food, and keep track of the items daily,” said Shaw Road teacher Nicole Sykes.

Kids Helping Kids began in 2015, the idea came from PTA families who wanted the Shaw Road Trailblazer students to give back to the community. The first year was a huge success. Due to the large amount of donations the first year, CIS had to pick up four times over the course of the week-long event.

It continued to be successful over the next few years:

Year Food Items Collected Donations

2016-17 4,320 $ 4002017-18 6,389 $1,3892018-19 4,571 $ 739

All food and donations will be distributed locally to students and families in need.

The Puyallup School District, in partnership with our diverse communities, educates and inspires students to reach their full potential.